40 



mock forests; aud some that were then small have since 

 grown to merchantable size. 



Mahogany trees are now being cut, and the logs reach 

 Miami, and other points, where boat builders and others 

 buy them. The number thus reaching market is not large. 

 Logs generally come in one or two ^t a time. They are 

 cut by negroes, for the most part, who find a tree here 

 and there. The logs are rolled or hauled to the near- 

 est water and are towed by a canoe or boat through nar- 

 row and obscure channels, often several miles, to Open 

 water, and are thence taken to some point designated 

 by the buyer. 



Black 0-um. — This tree is not in much favor anywhere, 

 but when it is convenient, the sawmills ciit it, and it 

 finds its way to the factories. The whole reported quan- 

 tity used in Florida is only two carloads. Sometimes 

 there is doubt as to what is meant when black gum is 

 reported. That name is applied to water gum (Nyssa 

 Mflora) in Florida. 



Live Oak. — Considering the abundance of this wood 

 in Florida, its use is small. Formerly it was in much 

 demand for ship knees, and a flourishing business was 

 carried on in the State; but it is not so used now. It is 

 not a tree of good form for lumber. The trunk is short, 

 and is generally rough; but the wood is hard, strong, 

 and when carefully selected, is of good grain and color. 



Birch. — Two species of birch grow in the State, but 

 none of either was reported by manufacturers. All came 

 from the outside the State, and the high price indicates 

 that it was the sweet birch or yellow birch of the North. 

 These two species go to market together, and little at- 

 tempt is made to keep them separate. For that reason 

 birch is listed in this report without the species being 

 designated. The river birch of Florida was not reported 

 for any purpose. 



Red Oak. — The true red oak {Querciis riiira) does not 



